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Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06378762

Interference of Endurance Training on Strength Development and Neuromuscular Adaptations

This study aims to find out if performing combined strength and endurance exercise in the same program (called concurrent training-CT) leads to similar long-term improvements in neuromuscular function as doing each type of exercise separately. The main questions it seeks to answer are:

Does performing CT result in similar improvements in strength and power as doing just strength training? Does performing CT result in similar improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness as doing just endurance training? Are neuromuscular adaptations similar between CT and just strength training? Researchers will compare the results between three groups: the CT group, the endurance training group (E), and the strength training group (S) to answer these questions.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Exercise Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculdade de Motricidade Humana - Universidade de Lisboa

Lisbon, Cruz Quebrada - Dafundo, 1499-002, Portugal

About this study

This study looks at how different types of exercise affect neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory improvements over time. It aims to see how combining strength and endurance training (concurrent training - CT) affects neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory adaptations compared to doing just strength or endurance training. Participants who regularly do both types of exercise will be split into three groups: Concurrent training (CT), endurance training (E), or strength training (S) and will be involved in 11 weeks of supervised training, three days a week:

Endurance training involves 30 minutes of continuous running, three days a week, at an intensity corresponding to the heavy domain (between the first and second ventilatory threshold) Strength training includes weightlifting three days a week, focusing on building both strength and power.

Concurrent training incorporates both strength and endurance exercises in the same session, three days a week, with strength training being executed prior to endurance training.

Researchers will collect data at three time-points during the 11 weeks: before starting the program (Baseline), at the end of week 5 (Week 5), and at the end of the program (Week 11). Measurements include lower-body strength and power, aerobic capacity, nerve evoked responses, and muscle structure if the quadriceps femoris.

Researchers will then compare the CT, E, and S groups at each measurement point to see which type of training elicited the best adaptations for the different neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory outcomes.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Active training status (strength and endurance (running) exercise at least 2 times per week over the last three months prior to inclusion in the study)

Exclusion criteria

  • Active smoking status
  • Orthopedic injuries
  • On medication
  • Known cardiovascular or respiratory disease

Treatment and study plan

Endurance exercise

Behavioral

30 minutes of running at an intensity corresponding to the heavy-domain (between the first and second ventilatory thresholds)

Strength Exercise

Behavioral

Combination of strength and power exercises Weeks 1-5 focus on building maximal strength Weeks 6-11 focus on maintaining maximal strength and improve muscle power

Concurrent exercise

Behavioral

Combining both strength and endurance training programs, with strength preceding endurance, incorporating a 20-min rest period between each modality

Primary outcomes

  1. Maximal Isometric Strength

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Maximal voluntary isometric strength of the plantarflexors and leg press exercise in Newtons

  2. Maximal Dynamic Strength

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Maximal dynamic strength on the back squat exercise in kilograms lifted

  3. Surface EMG

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Using surface electromyography (EMG), the muscle activation of the plantarflexors muscles will me assessed, as well as the quadriceps femoris during the leg press and back squat exercise

  4. H-reflex excitability

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Using percutaneous electrostimulation of the tibial nerve, spinal reflex excitability will be explored by assessing H-reflex evoked responses

  5. V-wave

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Using percutaneous electrostimulation of the tibial nerve, neural drive to the active muscle will be assessed by measuring V-wave amplitudes

  6. Lower Body Muscle Power

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Lower body muscle power in watts will be assessed during countermovement jumps

  7. Muscle fascicle length

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Fascicle length of the vastus lateralis muscles in centimeters

  8. Muscle fascicle pennation angle

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Pennation angle of the vastus laterais fascicles, in degrees

  9. Muscle thickenss

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 5, Week 11

    Muscle thickenss of the vastus lateralis, in centimeters

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Lisbon

Other

Collaborators

  • Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2025
First posted
Apr 22, 2024
Registry last updated
Dec 3, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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